I've never known another human being who can spread a smile the way my child can. He is a beacon of JOY. Every nurse and doctor in the hospital fell head over heels for John Ryan -he has the ability to snap people out of whatever head space they may be in, come fully to the present moment, and experience happiness. This kid's grin melts hearts!

Today was a toughie but had a happy ending. The morning was spent in surgery. Power Port inserted, spine tapped and hip bones aspirated. Results will come next week. Today is the first time we've had to witness our son in pain. He had some tenderness around his eye after the biopsy, but he still felt himself. Today he is sore and aching. He had a foreign object (power port) inserted into his body. It pops from his tiny chest cavity in a freaky way. It was hard to swallow when we first saw it post-op, but we know he needs it. It will remain in his body for the entire course of his treatment. It is the "port" through which he will receive his chemo. The port itself is like a metal chip the size of a quarter. Attached to it is a wire-like tube that is inserted into a main vein. When it's time for treatment a needle will be inserted into the port and an IV will pump the chemo into the vein, which will take it to his heart, which will pump it throughout his body. It breaks our hearts to see our little guy suffering, but we know this is a necessary evil.

Now onto the good news...we are HOME! Around 6pm (I was actually in the middle of writing this entry) the nurse came in and told us there wasn't anything more they could do for JR until the results of the spinal tap/bone marrow aspiration were back. He is on the books to start chemo on Tuesday. We will receive the results on that day, and then, assuming they are negative, he will begin treatment. The first day of treatment is the first day of the real battle John Ryan will fight to beat his cancer. It is so good to be home...though I'm barely functioning...so that's all for now. <3